Step 3: Spreading and folding the petals.

Step 4: Flatten and finish

to finish the tray and avoid sharpy edges, i flatten the back of the folded petals with the handles of my scissors. It's over, and it would make a ni...

This fun project will amaze your friends/girlfriends by it's simplicity and efficency.
I've been doing these "trays" for a long time now, mostly on hollydays, at the beach house when you got time to spare and there's nothing to put your ashes in.

Be really carefull while doing this instructable, i cut myself last week and i couldn't advise you enough to ask a grown-up for help if you're not comfortable with cissors and metal (even if you are 26 like me ;))
And please excuse my style/orthographe : i did my best but english isn't my birth language ;).

Step 1: Find a soda can, a pair of scissors and let's cut the top of the can out.

No problems here, stab the can with your scissors, and cut the top of the can out. The cut can be messy, we will adjust it in the next step.

Step 2: Clean cut of the top and cutting of the "petals"

Now that the top is nicely cut, we have to cut what i call the "petals", these need to be of a regular shape.
The tip to achieve that is to pinch the can to mark the two opposite sides and then cut the remaining side in 2.
May not be clear, but i think that images are self explanatory.

As soon as you cut the side following halves, quarters and heights, you should get 16 petals that we are going to spread out.

Step 3: Spreading and folding the petals.

once you spread the petals, fold the first of them on top of the petal right next to it.
To be able to "finish" the folding of the whole petals, remember not to mark the fold of the first petal (so that you can insert the last one underneath).

Step 4: Flatten and finish

to finish the tray and avoid sharpy edges, i flatten the back of the folded petals with the handles of my scissors.

I love this! however, i found a way to get rid of the spikey flaps on the back, you can cut away the corner of the flap furthest from the centre, then tuck the flap under the petal it just came out of!

If you fold it like this(and not like the beer can ashtrays also on this side) you can actually put a large tea light(around 5 centimeters/2 inches in diameter) this is just like 1 centimeter or a bit less than Â½ an inch smaller in diameter than a beer can. This means that you can fold the "petals" so they just cover the inner edge of the can. Then the tealight is held, so it won't tilt, and you have a very cool and different candlestick. If I have any linguistic errors, I apologize. English is not my first language.

hmm a great ninja like hrowing star...muahaha its sharp and its easy to make but also i think it would be kool to put ur burger on it... (im 12 so i cant mention anything about ashtrays) ittl be a fun and easy project i shall flag it as AWESOME...that is all

I just made one.... love it! How creative! They could be used as disposable ashtrays, at a pool party, etc. for those that insist on smoking. Very good instructions. I'm left handed and even with a cast on my left arm I was able to make one. Thanks!

I collect Dr Pepper Memorablia- and thsi will be a nice addition to my colllection...dr pepper dish/tray/thingys-(been to site forever - but your instructable inspired me to register so i could comment-GREAT INSTRUCTABLE